World Bank / IFC: Lighting Africa

A joint IFC and World Bank program, Lighting Africa, works towards improving access to better lighting in areas not yet connected to the electricity grid. According to the program website, 600 million people, and more than 10 million micro-enterprises, across Africa have no access to electricity ---- instead using inefficient, costly fuel-based alternatives like kerosene lamps.

Apparently more than 6.9 million people in Africa have already benefited from the program, gaining access to clean, safe lighting. They are now pushing into Asia as well, looking to provide similar off-grid lighting products to 2 million people in rural India by 2015.